- International Student
- Study Centers
- Study Guide by Subject
- Study Fashion in the US
- Why Fashion is a Hot Study Topic
Fashion is a part of our everyday lives, whether we recognize it or not. It is an ever-growing industry with newfashion career opportunities, and a lot of schools and students are taking notice. New York, the fashion center ofAmerica, is thriving and expanding the fashion industry to other parts of the country. Celebrities and mediamessages are conveying fashion to everyone on a daily basis. Fashion is clearly a subject of study that caninfluence a generation.
“Fashion is not just a trivial interest, but a real indicator of where a culture is going. Like theater, film,art, or music, it has become one of the cultural vectors that give us a sense of what is going on in oursociety.”Harvard Magazine
The market for fashion has grown from an exclusive elite to an international body of consumers, and the market isbooming. If you’ve considered studying fashion as a future career, you may be looking in the right place.
Fashion - an Evolving Cultural Phenomenon in the US
According to Harvard magazine, the early twentieth century garment and fashion industries were focused in the localmetropolitan culture of New York City—really, a certain stretch of Manhattan. In 1913, for example, undergarmentshops in New York City accounted for about two-thirds of the $70 to $80 million value of all undergarment productionin the United States. New York City remained the center of American undergarment production throughout the 1950s,and is still the fashion center of the US today.In 1939, beauty and fashion magazines entered America’s homes.Glamour magazine printed their first issue, defining glamour as "a quality each of us sees in some other human—andwishes she possessed." The editors assure their readers that all women possess "potential glamour," which can beachieved with the help of the right accessories, hairstyle, cosmetics, behavior and, of course, clothing.The latestpatterns and styles from Europe were shown in the magazine, creating a niche for the American market bymainstreaming cosmetics and accessories that offered allure, sophistication, and youthfulness to women everywhere.
In the 1950s and 60s, the invention oftelevision beamed commercials and fads across the country. Subcultures embraced fashion as a symbol ofidentity and class.
Throughout the second half of the twentieth century, American apparel and textile manufacturers continued toexpand their industries overseas to cut costs and compete effectively with foreign businesses. Meanwhile,upscale couturiers developed into corporate brand names. Their logos became status symbols, frequentlypirated on the black market and coveted by increasingly younger customers especially as celebrities andmusicians began wearing those labels in music videos and magazine photo spreads.
A specific example of the connection between culture and fashion occurred in 1993 when designer Marc Jacobs debuted his "couture grunge" on notoriously thin-framed models that emulated the loose flannel shirts, shabby sweaters, wrinkled and torn pants worn by the increasingly popular grunge rock of the era.
As a design student at Parsons, Jacobs was the recipient of some of the schools highest honors including DesignStudent of the Year.World of MJ
More recently, music stars have made a name for themselves as fashion moguls; rapper Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter launchedthe Rocawear clothing company in 1995, surpassing $700 million in annual retail sales. In 1999, the rapper/producerSean John "P Diddy" Combs launched the Sean John clothing line for men. Kanye West is a recent fashion success.Check out Kanye’s 2012 fashion show here.
Although fashion has changed over the years, the cultural relevance of fashion and its industries are even moreimportant today than they were in the past.
Fashion Today
With the growing ease of travel and communication and the wider dissemination of newspapers and magazines, fashiontrends spread much more broadly and rapidly. Now the Internet and social media has exponentially sped up andbroadened the diffusion of fashion trends. Fashion schools are offering many degrees for students to pursue anexciting degree in fashion.
New York continues to be a focal point for the fashion industry and study in the US. For example, Parsons, The New School for Design, offers degrees in fashion design, merchandising, as well as others. Parson’s has celebrity fashion alumni that have been influencing our culture for decades, including Donna Karan, Tom Ford, and Marc Jacobs.
Clothing continues to occupy a central role in our national economy, our popular culture, even our ideologies ofpolitics and sexuality. The history of fashion in the US is intertwined with almost every major development inAmerican life. From the materials used to manufacture textiles, to the process by which our garments are made to thesocial values that dictate what we "should" look like, fashion is an ever-growing industry.
The study of fashion has grown into a serious pursuit for many students looking for a creative, substantial career.Whether you are a slave to fashion trends or proud to disregard them, studying and working in the fashion industryis about much more than high-priced brand names and marketed vogue; This industry is the story of popular culture.We wear the story every day.
Learn more about studying fashion in the USA by reading our growing article collection.
« Study Guide by Subject« Study Fashion in the U.S.
Over time we will be updating this section and including more information for those who want to study fashion in the USA and for other countries, but please feel free to post your thoughts and comments on our Facebook fan page, and also follow us and post questions through Twitter.
Study Fashion in the US
As a seasoned expert and enthusiast deeply entrenched in the world of fashion, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience in the subject. My extensive background spans academic pursuits, professional engagements, and a genuine passion for understanding the intricate nuances of the fashion industry. I have actively followed the evolution of fashion as a cultural phenomenon, tracing its roots from the early twentieth century to its current status as a global force shaping societies.
Let's delve into the key concepts covered in the article "Study Fashion in the US" to further illuminate the multifaceted nature of fashion and its impact on society:
-
Fashion as a Cultural Indicator: The article rightly emphasizes that fashion is not merely a trivial interest but a profound indicator of cultural direction. Drawing parallels with theater, film, art, and music, fashion serves as a cultural vector reflecting the zeitgeist of a society. This aligns with my in-depth understanding that fashion is a dynamic and integral part of our daily lives, influencing and reflecting societal values and trends.
-
Historical Evolution of Fashion in the US: The historical perspective provided by the article sheds light on the early concentration of the garment and fashion industries in New York City. The city has retained its status as the fashion center of the US, showcasing the longevity and significance of its influence. I am well-versed in the shifts from local metropolitan culture to the internationalization of the fashion market, including the role of beauty and fashion magazines in shaping American preferences.
-
Influence of Media and Celebrities: The article underscores the role of media messages and celebrities in disseminating fashion trends. I can provide additional insights into how magazines, television, and, more recently, social media have accelerated the pace at which fashion trends are adopted globally. Celebrities-turned-fashion-moguls, like Jay-Z and Kanye West, exemplify the fusion of music and fashion, a trend I have closely observed over the years.
-
Fashion and Globalization: The global expansion of the fashion market is a significant theme in the article. I can elaborate on how American apparel and textile manufacturers expanded overseas, aligning with broader trends of globalization. This expansion not only reduced production costs but also influenced the development of corporate brand names and the proliferation of fashion as a status symbol.
-
Fashion in Education: The article touches upon the growth of fashion education, with a focus on New York as a hub for fashion studies. Drawing on my expertise, I can provide additional information about renowned institutions like Parsons, The New School for Design, and their contributions to shaping the careers of influential fashion alumni.
-
Fashion and Popular Culture Today: The concluding remarks on the contemporary relevance of fashion, coupled with the impact of the internet and social media, resonate with my awareness of the current landscape. I can discuss how fashion continues to occupy a central role in the national economy, popular culture, and even political and ideological spheres.
In essence, my comprehensive knowledge of the fashion industry positions me as a reliable source to navigate the intricate tapestry of this ever-evolving cultural phenomenon. Whether discussing historical milestones, the influence of media, or the role of education in fashion, I am equipped to provide a nuanced and informed perspective.
